First barefoot endurance ride

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FfionWinnie

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Well we did it. 20km in 1hr49mins (and actually we had to waste 10 mins as we were too fast!). On forestry, Tarmac and bog.

Had her boots with me but didn't use them (due to rubbing pastern issue I mentioned in a previous post).

I found it quite nerve wracking especially as the vetting was trotting them on a stoney track. She is careful on stones still, but I am quite pleased with how her feet are coming on I think.

She is 4 months into it and her work load is approx 70km per week of trotting and cantering on roads and forestry plus an hours lesson.

The biggest problem I have with her is she will not eat. She is getting m. Linseed, copra meal, speedi beet and fast fibre. I've tried varying combinations but she is so picky :rolleyes:

Looking rather underwhelmed as she did all day despite her tender years!

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fantastic!! Where was the ride? Im hoping to do the one at Kirrie at the end of the month but im very much a newbie with no idea lol
 
Brilliant, I am hoping to take my horse to her first endurance ride sometime this summer, although I have no idea how she is going to react!! Lazy arabian who can get a bit lit up sometimes!!
As an aside, I did a half marathon today, so 21km, in 1.55, so I guess that equates pretty much to the same speed!! Would have been a lot easier with the horse, some of the hills were very hard!!
I'm interested in doing Man V Horse in the summer, it's strange how being on foot can sometimes be a major advantage over 4 legs on the downhill and boggy sections. I wonder if I can manage to beat any horses!!
 
It was at Montreathmont. Only noticed one other barefoot which was a highland also on their first go at it I think.


lhotse said:
Brilliant, I am hoping to take my horse to her first endurance ride sometime this summer, although I have no idea how she is going to react!! Lazy arabian who can get a bit lit up sometimes!!
As an aside, I did a half marathon today, so 21km, in 1.55, so I guess that equates pretty much to the same speed!! Would have been a lot easier with the horse, some of the hills were very hard!!
I'm interested in doing Man V Horse in the summer, it's strange how being on foot can sometimes be a major advantage over 4 legs on the downhill and boggy sections. I wonder if I can manage to beat any horses!!
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Well you can get off and run if she gets tired :p. no way could I run 21km, well done you. There was a walk only section which slowed us up :D

I really want to get fancier hoof boots but I think her feet will get smaller yet so I can't really justify it yet.
 
You could also try fenugreek to get her eating, I bought some after a recommendation from NMT on here. It worked for a while but mine is still being a bit fussy and picky.....
 
Regarding the pastern rubbing issue, which boot are you using? If it's an Easyboot gaiter that's causing the problem, there's an easy fix: get a bit of polar fleece, maybe about 15cm x 20cm, and sew a strip of velcro along the long sides, so that you can form the piece into a tube.

When booting, wrap the fleece around the pastern before doing up the gaiter, then do up the gaiter, then velcro up the fleece. Should stay put really well, and help with the rubs.

Here's a pic; can try to get a closeup if needed:

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Thanks for the replies folks. I will try spearmint and fenugreek. I have started separating her and feeding haylage during the day as well as her food so she can pick (at her food) all day as she will eat it just not in one (or even three!) sittings.

Spooky I was hoping you would be around so I could pick your brain.

No, they are cavallo simples.

I want to go for easyboots I think, epics or gloves but I am a bit :eek: about deciding.

Firstly I have measured her feet as best I can and her right is 116mm wide and 102mm long. Left is 120mm wide and 104mm long. IF I have measured right :confused:

The other thing is I think her feet are going to be smaller when finished, the bottom cm or so is the old hoof (her feet were flared and rubbish when I bought her in Oct) so am I wasting my money buying boots now what do you think?

The green line is where I measured the length to and I drew round them and measured the widest part for the width. Is that the right place for the length?n I have looked extensively at the website but its hard to be totally sure!

I know I can get the fit kit and I probably will but I'm just wondering if its worth doing that now or should I still wait til that bit grows out?

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Keep your eyes open for second hand boots. There's a good chance you can buy some, use them for a while and sell them again when the feet change shape without losing much money on the deal.
 
I'd also recommend talking to the lady at the hoofbootique. They sell a variety of boots, and if you send her pictures with a ruler held against the hoof, would probably be able to advise! They also do rentals so you can try. I'm thinking of going for Renegades just now; and that's a big investment if they don't fit right.

The Gloves are brilliant, but for them, it's essential that the fit is really good, if you plan to move at speed!
 
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